HOUSE MEMORIAL 41

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Dayan Hochman-Vigil

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ASSESS BLOCKED TRAIN CROSSING TIMES ACROSS THE STATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO LIMIT BLOCKED CROSSING TIMES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's rail lines are a critical component of the movement of goods, and freight trains frequently cross roads across the state, which can cause congestion; and

     WHEREAS, train crossings can be blocked for up to thirty minutes at a time, which presents access and safety issues, particularly to rural New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, assessment and action are needed to determine blocked crossing times across the state and what action can be taken to reduce those times;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to assess blocked train crossing times across the state and work with rail providers statewide to propose operational changes to limit blocked crossing times; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of transportation be requested to confer with railroad services using each crossing and unions representing employees of those railroads; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of transportation be requested to report its findings and conclusions to the appropriate interim committees that studies transportation by September 1, 2025; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of transportation for appropriate distribution.

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